Apparatus for hose crimping machine

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided for crimping fittings to hose assemblies. A pair of drive rollers are used for rotating a fitting. A pair of deflector rollers are positioned opposite of the drive rollers. A fitting and hose assembly is placed between the drive rollers and the deflector rollers. The deflector rollers and the drive rollers include a raised portion for producing a crimp in the fitting, thereby expeditiously securing the fitting to the hose and providing a leakproof connection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for crimping fittings to hoseassemblies.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional refrigeration systems circulate a refrigerant through aclosed cooling system. In this circulation process, the refrigerantchanges states between a fluid and a gas. Freon has been used as arefrigerant. Freon consists of dichlorofluorocarbons, such asdichlorodifluoromethane. Conventional freon is designated under ANSICode B79.1-1968 as Freon 12, R-12 or Genetron 12. It has been found thatthe release of halogen refrigerants into the atmosphere deleteriouslyaffects the ozone layer which surrounds and protects the earth fromultraviolet solar radiation.

The Environmental Protection Agency mandated the use of a refrigerantdescribed as R-134a systems or HCF 134 systems to minimize ozonedepletion. The R-134 refrigerant system replaces the dichloride in therefrigerant with hydrogen for minimizing the release of halogens intothe atmosphere. Although the R-134 refrigerant is less harmful thanfreon to the environment, the EPA still recommends that the R-134refrigerant should not be released to the atmosphere. The R-134refrigerant is typically recycled by a closed system which is defined asa "refrigerant recycling machine".

Conventional fittings, adapters or couplers have been used forconnecting and disconnecting refrigerant recycling machines to thetubular high or low-sides of air conditioning systems. Conventionalhoses, couplers and ports have been used with R-12 refrigerant systems.Recently, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA), and Automotive manufacturers mandated theretrofitting of all the hoses and fittings from the R-12 standards toR-134a standards. This requires performing hose make-up or repair onhose assemblies for R-134a systems.

Crimping devices have been used to crimp a fitting onto a hose. U.S.Pat. No. 4,192,171 describes a hand held crimping tool including a pairof crimping dies. Each die has a concave face and ribs formed on theconcave face. One die is movable along a track in the device which formsa path toward the other die. A screw urges the second die along thetrack to engage the first die and perform the crimping operation. Thescrew may be turned by a wrench. This disclosure has the shortcoming ofslowly moving the dies toward one another and not being readilyadjustable for different size fittings.

There is a considerable need for a device for expeditiously convertingvarious hoses and fittings of a R-12 refrigeration system to a R-134arefrigeration system. The present invention provides a sealing and crimplocking device for retrofitting refrigeration systems and preventingleakage of refrigerant from the cooling system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, the present invention relates to an apparatus forcrimping fittings to hose assemblies. Deflector rollers are positionedopposite of drive rollers. A fitting and hose combination is placed incontact with the deflector and drive rollers. During crimping, the driverollers rotate the fitting. The deflector rollers include a raisedportion in the surface thereof for forming a crimp in the rotatingfitting. Preferably, the drive rollers and deflector rollers can berotated by an interconnected gear system.

In a first embodiment, a power motor is used to drive the gear system.In an alternative embodiment, a gear handle is used to manually rotatethe gears.

The deflector rollers are preferably attached to a slidably movableframe arm for adjusting the distance between the deflector rollers andthe drive rollers, thereby allowing the apparatus to be used with arange of fitting sizes. A cam and follower roller arrangement can becoupled to the interconnected gear system for providing gradualpenetration of the raised surface of the deflector rollers into thefittings. The depth of the crimp can be adjusted by adjusting theprofile of the cam. Alternate shapes of the raised surface of thedeflector roller, as well as the driver rollers, can be used to alterthe shape of the crimp.

These and other features of the invention will be more fully understoodby reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a crimper apparatus in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view from the rear of the crimper apparatus asshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the crimper apparatus with thehousing removed.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the crimper apparatusshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cam/follower device and related dialand worm gear used in the crimper apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational cross-sectional view from the rear of thecrimper apparatus during the crimping operation.

FIG. 7A is a top view of the cam and follower roller used in the crimperapparatus.

FIG. 7B is a graph of the cams profile, follower displacement labelled Rversus the rotation of the cam in degrees.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a fitting and hose before thecrimping operation.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a fitting and hose after thecrimping operation.

FIG. 9A is a top view of a deflector roller used in the crimperapparatus.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a curved raised portion formed inthe deflector rollers and the drive rollers shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of a conical raised portion formed inthe deflector rollers and the drive rollers.

FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional view of a elliptical raised portion formedin the deflector rollers and the drive rollers.

FIG. 10A is a top view of a knurl drive roller used in the crimperapparatus.

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the knurl drive roller.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a crimp drive roller used in the crimperapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

During the course of the description like numbers will be used toidentify like elements according to the different figures whichillustrate the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevational view of crimper apparatus 10 inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention. Crimperapparatus 10 can be operated in either a manually driven mode or a powerdriven mode. In the manually driven mode, handle 12 is rotated to drivecrimper apparatus 10. In the power driven mode, motor 14 is activated todrive crimper apparatus 10. Power switch 15 turns motor 14 on and off.Motor 14 can be a conventional 1/3 hp motor with an rpm of 1725. Housing16 is attached to base 18. Housing 16 can be attached to base 18 withbolts 20. In an alternative embodiment, base 18 can be a work bench or atable.

Crimp drive roller 22 and knurl drive roller 24 are positioned withinhousing 16. Deflector rollers 26 and 28 are positioned opposite of crimpdrive roller 22 and knurl drive roller 24. Area 30 is the distancebetween knurl drive roller 24 and deflector roller 28 as well as thedistance between crimp driver roller 22 and deflector roller 26. Handle25 is pulled in the direction of arrow A₁ for increasing area 30 betweenknurl drive roller 24 and deflector roller 26.

It has been found that the positioning of knurl drive roller 24 belowcrimp drive roller 22 on the left hand side of deflector rollers 26 and28 as shown in FIG. 1 has the advantage of providing crimping of fitting32 without buckling. It has also been found that if the orientation ofthe knurl drive roller 24 is changed to be above crimp drive roller 22or on the right hand side of deflector rollers 26 and 28 buckling offitting 32 can occur.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of crimper apparatus 10 including a fittingand hose combination used in the crimper apparatus. Hose 34 is slidablyinserted within fitting 32. Fitting 32 is positioned within area 30among knurl drive roller 24, deflector roller 28, crimp drive roller 22and deflector 26. Tube 27 can be placed over hose 34 and for supportinghose 34, thereby aiding in providing uniform rotation of hose 34.Preferably, crimper apparatus 10 is used with fittings and hoses whichhave a diameter in the range of from about 0.5 inches to about 3.0inches. Preferably, fitting 32 and hose 34 conform to R134a standards.Area 30 can be adjusted with handle 25 to accommodate the various sizehoses and fittings. It will be appreciated that larger or smallerfittings and hoses can be used in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of gear apparatus 40 for driving crimpdrive roller 22 and knurl drive roller 24. Worm gear 42 includes athreaded portion 41. Motor output shaft 39 is coupled to threadedportion 41. Preferably, worm gear 42 has a reduction of 30:1. Shaft 44connects worm gear 42 to spur gear 46. In this embodiment, motor 14rotates motor output shaft 39 in a counterclockwise direction as shownby arrow A₂. Output shaft 39 in turn rotates worm gear 42 and spur gear46 in a counterclockwise direction as shown by arrow A₃.

Spur gear 46 is coupled to an interconnected gear system 50.Interconnected gear system 50 includes gears 52, 54 and 56 with thereduction ratio of 1:1. Gear 52 contacts spur gear 46, gear 54 and gear56. Gear 56 is connected to crimp drive roller 22 and gear 54 isconnected to knurl drive roller 24. Gear 52 rotates in a clockwisedirection shown by arrow A₄ for rotating gears 54 and 56 in acounterclockwise direction as shown by arrows A₅.

Gear 80 is positioned at end portion 82 of shaft 44. Gear 80 includesthreaded portion 81. Shaft 44 extends through internal frame leg 74.Handle 12 is connected to end portion 82 of shaft 44. Worm gear 84 iscoupled to gear 80. Shaft 86 connects worm gear 84 to cam 88. In themanual mode, handle 12 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction shownby arrow A₆ for rotating worm gear 84 in the direction of arrow A₇.Preferably, handle 12 is rotated at a speed of 60 rpm.

Frame 89 includes frame arm 98. Hinge 94 connects side plates 90 and 92to end 93 of frame arm 98. Side plates 90 and 92 rotate around hinge 94.Deflector rollers 26 and 28 are connected to side plates 90 and 92.Preferably, side plates have a "v" shape. End 95 of frame arm 98 extendsthrough opening 96 in frame 89. Frame arm 89 is slidably movable withinopening 96 for moving end 93 of frame arm 98 towards or away frominternal frame legs 72 and 74.

Interconnected gear system 50 is attached by bearing 60 to internalframe leg 72, as shown in FIG. 4. Crimp drive roller 22 and knurl driveroller 24 are attached to internal frame leg 74 with end 61 of bearing60. Similarly, deflector rollers 26 and 28 are attached to internalframe leg 74 with end 61 of bearing 60.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of follower device 100. Yoke 102 isattached to end 97 of frame arm 98. Adjustable dial 104 is positionedbetween legs 106 and 108 of yoke 102. Follower roller 110 is attachedwith pin 112 to end 115 of adjustable guide screw 114. End 117 ofadjustable guide screw 114 passes through adjustable dial 104. Key guide118 is formed in end 117 of adjustable guide screw 114. When adjustabledial 104 is rotated, key guide 118 moves adjustable guide screw 114 in aforward or rearward direction. Adjustable dial 104 can be rotated in aclockwise or counterclockwise direction for respectively moving followerroller 110 in a forward or rearward direction. When adjusting withadjustable dial 104, pin 120 prevents guide screw 114 from rotating.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of crimper apparatus 10 during set upand crimping operations. During set up, handle 25 is pulled in thedirection of arrow A₁₀ to increase area 30. Spring 122 compresses tomove yoke 102 towards internal frame leg 74 in the direction of arrowA₁₁. Fitting 32 and hose 34 are positioned in area 30. The outsidesurface 36 of fitting 32 contacts crimp drive roller 22, knurl driveroller 24 and deflector rollers 26 and 28. Spring 122 biases fitting 32against crimper drive roller 22, knurl drive roller 24 and deflectorrollers 26, 28 within area 30. Adjustable dial 104 is rotated for movingfollower roller 110 into contact with cam 88.

To begin operation of crimper apparatus 10 in the power mode, powerswitch 15 is turned on. In the manual mode, handle 12 is rotated aboutfifteen times for about fifteen seconds. A fifteen second rotation ofthe handle 12 corresponds to a one complete rotation of cam 88.

In the power drive mode, motor output shaft 39 rotates worm gear 42, asshown in FIG. 3. Rotation of CAM 88 moves follower roller 110 in thelinear direction of arrow A₁₂. Linear movement of follower roller 110moves yoke 102 in the direction of arrow A₁₁, thereby moving deflectorrollers 26 and 28 towards fitting 32 for providing additional crimpingof fitting 32. During crimping, motion is transferred between worm gear42, spur gear 46 and gears 52, 54 and 56. Respective gears 54 and 56rotate knurl drive roller 24 and crimp drive roller 22. Spur gear 46also transfers motion to gear 80 and cam 88. Crimp drive roller 22 andknurl drive roller 24 rotate fitting 32. Surface 126 of deflector roller26 and surface 126 of deflector roller 28 contact outside surface 36 offitting 32 for crimping fitting 32.

In the power driven mode, relay switch 99 measures the relative distancebetween internal frame leg 72 and end 97 of frame 89 for turning offmotor 14. In the manually driven mode, a release position is felt byrelease of the load on handle 12. After crimping of fitting 32, handle25 can be moved in the direction of arrow A₁₀ for releasing fitting 32.Thereafter, fitting 32 can be removed from crimper apparatus 10.

FIG. 7A is a top view of cam 88 and follower roller 110. Cam 88 has anindentation at release position 127. Before crimping, follower roller110 is positioned at release position 127 by rotating dial 104. Cam 88rotates 360° in a counterclockwise direction during crimping of fitting32. After crimping is complete, cam 88 is returned to release position127. Linear movement of follower 110 is shown in FIG. 7B. Preferably,the profile of cam 88 provides a linear path with small slope forfollower roller 110 with a maximum displacement of about 0.08 inches, asshown in FIG. 7B.

In this embodiment, the starting point of follower roller 110 is atrelease position 127 or at zero degrees. As cam 88 rotatescounterclockwise, follower roller 110 passes through point 131 (90°),point 130 (180°), point 129 (270°) and point 128 (345°). The roller'smovement from release position 127 to points 131, 130, 129 and 128 islinear as shown in the graph of FIG. 7B. After point 128, followerroller 110 has negative displacement and linearly goes back to itsrelease position 127. Total positive displacement of the follower isabout 0.08 inches which is equal to the depth of the crimp on thefitting. The depth of the crimp on fitting 32 can be adjusted, if sodesired, by changing the initial contact point of the follower roller110 and cam 88.

In alternate embodiments, the starting point of follower roller 110 canbe altered by a partial rotation of handle 12 or motor output shaft 39to advance the starting point to points 131, 130, or 129 to achieve moreor less crimped depth. The depth of the crimp can be increased ordecreased by the following procedures. To increase the depth of thecrimp, after one rotation of cam 88, cam 88 is rotated manually byhandle 12 or motor 14, so that follower roller 110 aligns with cam 88 ateither points 129, 130, 131. Thereafter, dial 104 is rotated untilfollower roller 110 contacts the desired point. Afterwards, motor 14 isturned on or handle 12 is rotated manually until the rotation of cam 88is complete, i.e., follower roller 110 is at release position 127. Toreduce the depth, the initial starting point is changed from releaseposition 127 to any one of points 131, 130 or 129, motor is turned on orthe handle is rotated manually until cam 88 returns to release position127.

FIG. 8A is a cross sectional view of fitting 32 and hose 34 beforecrimping. Fitting 32 includes tube 133 and center portion 132. Centerportion 132 includes grooves 134 along the length thereof. Hose 34 isinserted within fitting 32 over grooves 134. FIG. 8B is a crosssectional view of fitting 32 and hose 34 after crimping. Crimps 136 and138 are formed on the outside surface 135 of tube 133. Crimps 136 and138 force portion 139 of hose 34 into grooves 134 for providing a leakfree connection between fitting 32 and hose 34.

FIG. 9A is a top view of deflector rollers 26 and 28. Top surface 140 ofdeflector rollers 26, 28 includes at least one raised portion 142.Depending on the desired number of crimps one can have up to four raisedportions 142. Preferably, deflector roller 26 has a pair of raisedportions 142 and 144. Raised portions 142 and 144 can have respectivecurved top portions 146 and 148 with a radius R₁, as shown in FIG. 9B.Preferably, radius R₁ is between about 0.020 and about 0.20 inches.Most, preferably radius R₁ is about 0.045 inches. Raised portions 142and 144 form crimps 136 and 138 in fitting 32 with a curved shape, asshown in FIG. 8B. In alternate embodiments, additional raised portionscan be formed in deflector rollers 26 and 28 for forming additionalcrimps in fitting 32.

Alternatively, raised portions 142 and 144 of deflector rollers 26, 28can have a conical portion 148, as shown in FIG. 9C. In the alternative,raised portion 142 and 144 can have an elliptical portion 149, as shownin FIG. 9D. Conical portion 148 and elliptical portion 149 formrespective conical or elliptical crimps in fitting 32.

FIG. 10A is a top view of knurl drive roller 24. Knurl drive roller 24includes raised portions 152 and 154. Inner portions 155 and 157 ofrespective raised portions 152 and 154 are knurled. Inner portions 155and 157 eliminate slippage between knurl drive roller 24 and fitting 32.FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of raised portion 154 and innerportion 155. Preferably, raised portions 152 and 154 have a radius R₂between about 0.02 and 0.30 inches. Most preferably, knurl drive rollerhas a radius R₂ of about 0.067 inches.

FIG. 11 is a top view of crimp drive roller 22. Crimp drive roller 22includes raised portions 162 and 164. Preferably, raised portions 162and 164 are curved and have a radius R₃ between about 0.02 and 0.30inches. Most preferably, raised portions 162 and 164 have a radius R₃ ofabout 0.067 inches. When one, two, three or four crimps are desired onfitting 32 respectively, one, two, three or four raised portions ofcrimp drive roller 22 and knurl drive roller 24 and deflector rollers 26and 28 are provided.

The present invention has the advantage of expeditiously crimping afitting to a hose. Preferably, a leakproof double crimp is formed in thefitting for providing a leakproof connection of the hose to the fitting.The present invention can be readily adjusted to accommodate varioussized fittings and hoses. Different shaped crimps can be obtained byaltering the shape of deflector rollers which crimp the fitting.

While the invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art that modifications can be made to the structure and form of theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

We claim:
 1. A crimper apparatus for securing a fitting to a hosecomprising:drive roller means for rotating said fitting; gear means forrotating said drive roller means; cam means coupled to said gear means,said cam means being rotated by said gear means; deflector roller meanspositioned opposite of said drive roller means, said deflector rollermeans having at least one raised portion on the outside surface thereof,said raised portion contacting said fitting, thereby crimping saidfitting; and follower means positioned opposite of said cam means, saidfollower means contacting said cam means during formation of said crimpfor moving said cam means in a linear direction, wherein said cam meanshas a profile which provides a linear path with small slope for saidfollower roller for gradually moving said drive roller means toward saiddeflector roller means.
 2. The crimper apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising:a frame, said drive roller means attached to said frame; aframe arm slidable within said frame, said deflector roller meansattached to said slidable frame arm, wherein said deflector roller meansis moveable towards and away from said drive roller means.
 3. Thecrimper apparatus of claim 2 wherein said follower means comprises:afollower roller; and an adjustable dial for adjusting the distancebetween said follower roller and said cam means.
 4. The crimperapparatus of claim 3 wherein said drive means comprises:a knurl driveroller attached to said frame, said knurl drive roller having a raisedportion, said raised portion being knurled on an inner portion thereof;and a crimp drive roller attached to said frame above said knurl roller.5. A crimper apparatus for securing a fitting to a hose comprising:aframe; a knurl drive roller attached to said frame, said knurl driveroller having a raised portion, said raised portion being knurled on aninner surface thereof and a crimp drive roller attached to said frameabove said knurl roller, said crimp drive roller and said knurl driveroller rotating said fitting; gear means for rotating said knurl driveroller and said crimp drive roller; deflector roller means positionedopposite of said knurl drive roller and said crimp drive roller, saiddeflector roller means having at least one raised portion on the outsidesurface thereof, said raised portion contacting said fitting forcrimping said fitting; a frame arm slidable within said frame, saiddeflector roller means attached to said slidable frame arm, saiddeflector roller means is moveable towards and away from said crimpdrive roller and said knurl drive roller; cam means coupled to said gearmeans, said cam means being rotated by said gear means; follower rollerpositioned opposite of said cam means, said follower roller contactingsaid cam means during formation of said crimp for moving said cam meansin a linear direction for gradually moving said knurl drive roller andsaid crimp drive roller toward said deflector roller means; anadjustable dial for adjusting the distance between said follower rollerand said cam means; a first gear coupled to said knurl drive roller; asecond gear coupled to said crimp drive roller; a third gear coupled tosaid first and second gears; a spur gear coupled to said third gear; anda first worm gear coupled to said spur gear, wherein rotation of saidfirst worm gear rotates said first, second and third gears.
 6. Thecrimper apparatus of claim 5 wherein said cam includes an indentation ata release position.
 7. The crimper apparatus of claim 6 wherein saidfollower roller is positioned opposite of said indentation before saidsecuring said fitting to said hose.
 8. The crimper apparatus of claim 6wherein said follower roller is positioned at a position selected fromthe group of 90° , 180° and 270° from said release position.
 9. Thecrimper apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first and second gears rotatein a counterclockwise direction, said third gear rotates in a clockwisedirection, said spur gear rotates in a counterclockwise direction andsaid first worm gear rotates in a counterclockwise direction.
 10. Thecrimper apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said deflector rollers hasa pair of said raised portions.
 11. The crimper apparatus of claim 6wherein said first worm gear is connected to power means.
 12. Thecrimper apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:a second worm gearcoupled to said spur gear; and a handle coupled to said second wormgear, wherein rotation of said handle rotates said spur gear.
 13. Thecrimper apparatus of claim 6 wherein said raised portions of saiddeflector rollers have a curved shape.
 14. The crimper apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein said raised portions of said deflector rollers have aconical shape.
 15. The crimper apparatus of claim 6 wherein said raisedportions of said deflector rollers have an elliptical shape.
 16. Thecrimper apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:a tube for receivingsaid hose, said tube supporting said hose during said securing of saidfitting to said hose.
 17. The crimper apparatus of claim 6 wherein saidraised portion has a radius of between about 0.02 and about 0.3 inches.